Downtown Okemos has long been the picturesque but sleepy place drivers cut through to get to Meridian Mall. But 59 merchants there have invested $10,000 in an effort to change that image.
The most visible piece of the recently energized Meridian Township Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA) new campaign will be Celebrate Downtown Okemos Art Walk on June 20, featuring the unveiling of four street sculptures on consignment for a year. Activities offered all day will include artisans in Wonch Park, a pig roast and food vendors.
It’s the first big event the area has hosted in 30 years, says Melinda Barr of Get Up and Grow, a consultant to the project.
But once the merchants have shown how well they can work together, they hope grant makers will come through for more sculptures and other activities, Barr says.
It’s a worthy cause. Okemos is in Meridian Township, the oldest township in Michigan.
“There’s history and heritage here,” she says. “We want to re-introduce our assets. We have a great story to tell.”
Art is being used as a focus to reflect events in East Lansing and Old Town in an effort to foster regionalism while at the same time promoting the town’s virtures. The outdoor art is complimented by eight new large planters recently planted with day lilies.
The DDA’s boundaries are Grand River Ave. on the north, Mt. Hope on the south, Liverance on the west and the roundabout at Marsh Road and Hamilton on the east.
Source: Melinda Barr, Get Up and Grow
Gretchen Cochran, Innovation & Jobs editor, may be reached here.
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